Château La Tour Carnet 2020

Maturation has added more polish; the notes of just‑ripe Cabernets deliver a lively herbal‑tea aroma, the tannins have smoothed out, the whole is harmonious and enjoyable. Just don’t let it age forever.

This has a solid core of dark plum and blackberry fruit flavors that marry well with anise- and alder-accented toast. Stays focused through the finish. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2028.

Crisp and crunchy, though quite chalky and creamy with licks of liquorice and wet stone. Quite high-toned, feels tight and very coiled right now with clear cedar, cinnamon and clove spice. The fruit profile is good, ripe blackcurrant and blueberries, but the whole frame is constricted almost straight away. Does feel clean though with firmness. It has a classicism in the sleek nature – well formed with estate signature.

Tight and linear, with blackcurrant and lemon rind character. Medium-bodied and racy, with very fine tannins and a bright finish. Shows energy and focus. Drinkable, but better in three or four years.

Tasted blind. Deep crimson. Dark, riper and still on the savoury side, then more cedary as it opens. Dry, fine tannins but a little dilute on the mid palate. (JH)

The 2020 La Tour Carnet has never really come together. I find the bottled wine lacking in both mid-palate depth and persistence. Dark plum, tobacco, cedar, charcoal and licorice struggle to emerge. The 2020 remains compact, angular and void of its typical charm.

Dark garnet in color, the wine pops with its showy nose of espresso, smoked currants, licorice, and barbecue aromas. The wine is ripe, round and lush, with a full, rich, polished wave of black cherries and cocoa that comes through easily on the mid-palate and into the finish. Drink from 2024–2045.

Dark ruby, purple reflections, soft brightening on the rim. Subtle leafy notes, a touch of tobacco, dark wild berries, somewhat restrained, understated nougat in the background. Medium-bodied, red berries, fresh, vivid, angular tannins, a brittle finish, a bit inaccessible at this stage, needs time.

Meaty, fleshy dark fruit with fine oak notes and mocha. Dense and concentrated, with fine extract and tannic freshness, paired with dark chocolate and unctuous dark fruit, long and generous finish.

Almost always a winner, the 2020 Château La Tour Carnet offers a terrific, medium-bodied, concentrated style as well as classic notes of ripe currants, darker cherries, spicy wood, and graphite. It has the vintage's more focused, classic, structured style, with ripe tannins and outstanding length. It's well worth seeking out and is going to evolve for at least a decade.

60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. Extremely dark purple with a black core and a delicate purple rim. Opulent black‑berry bouquet paired with dark chocolate truffles and plum compote. On the generous palate with a creamy texture, finely grained extract richness, supporting freshness and a very muscular body. Aromatic finish of wild cherry, Brazilian tobacco and dark graphite notes. After last year’s small misstep, back on track!

Kunz barrel sample 2021: (60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon) Velvety, creamy, dark bouquet, black berries, black cherries, blackberry jelly, dark chocolate, nougat, mocha. Creamy, dense, powerful palate with dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, muscular, slightly bourgeois structure, intense aromatics, long, firm finish.

(60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon) Velvety, creamy, dark bouquet: black berries, black cherries, blackberry jelly, dark chocolate, nougat, mocha. Creamy, dense, powerful palate with dark fruit, plenty of fine tannins, a muscular, slightly bourgeois structure, strong aromatics, and a long, bitter finish. 17/20 2026 - 2040

La Tour Carnet 2020 has a deep garnet-purple color. It opens with hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, and dried herbs, over a core of cassis and redcurrant jelly. Light to medium-bodied, the palate is soft and refreshing with an herb-laced finish.

90-91

The same mature character on the nose as its Médoc neighbor, Les Grands Chênes. It offers hedonistic, spicy aromas but lacks precision. On the palate, sharper, virile, energetic. A juicy, well-balanced, highly successful wine.

Right from the start, Tour Carnet 2020 shows an inviting character, both in its fruity intensity and its range. Delicious and with good density, the wine has round, velvety tannins. It has body, depth, and charm. A delicious, indulgent wine that can certainly be enjoyed in its youth, yet also shows good ageing potential.

Dark, intense, purple colour. Intense nose with ripe fruit. Subtle. Silky on the attack, very fruity on the mid-palate, with brightness and medium body; the wine finishes flavourful with present yet wrapped tannins.

92–94. Barrel Sample. This magnificent medieval castle controls a vineyard that is just inland from Saint-Julien. With its ripe perfumes and rich tannins, the wine has a powerful potential set against the tightly juicy black currant fruits.